Practical Origami--Fractal’s Folded Antennas See 10th Anniversary

April 11, 2014 02:33 PM Eastern Daylight Time

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--It started as child’s play. In 1996, Nathan Cohen took his son’s beach
sand molds and coated them with copper tape, making a new class of 3D
structures: folded antennas. Cohen, a physicist and inventor,
immediately realized what he had done: “These were Origami antennas,
folded to define new shapes. It was an inspired geek moment.”

Origami antennas, using pleats (folds), were found to make some shapes
that actually shrunk the size and increased the performance of
conventional antenna designs. Notes Cohen:” Some fractal antennas are
Origami antenna. Our experience, at Fractal Antenna Systems, prepared us
for such a surprise. We found government customers who understood the
glaring benefit. We are proud of those uses, now far more than a decade
old. Basically origami and fractals make superior 3D antennas.”

With patents in-hand, the firm also went after commercial markets,
starting in 2004. ” We were ahead of the need for smaller, wideband
antennas. Now everything needs wideband. Today, our Origami antennas,
protected by redoes, can be found in schools; municipal buildings;
airports; malls; skyscrapers; train stations; casinos; universities; and
many other public places.” Few products have a 10 year life cycle, and
even fewer have ‘hockey stick’ growth after 10 years. ”We always tell
people we are a decade ahead. Here is a shining example.”

Cohen notes that many researchers are now ’re-discovering’ folded
antennas. “Outside validation is always welcome. But if you take a look
at the path, it has long since marked our footprints in stone.”

The advent of 3D printers has further expanded the realm of folded
antennas. Adds Cohen: “We hold the IP on 3D folded antennas and
processes to make them, and have just shifted 100% of our folded antenna
parts to 3D printing, keeping essential manufacturing processes in-house
and in the U.S. This should brighten the future of Origami antennas
many-fold.”

ABOUT FRACTAL ANTENNA SYSTEMS, INC.

Fractal Antenna Systems, Inc. ( http://www.fractenna.com )
supplies products for the world's most demanding wireless, and
electromagnetic applications. Backed by over three dozen U.S. and
international patents, plus dozens of patents pending, Fractal Antenna
Systems is the recognized pioneer in fractal technology, with extensive
research and field experience over 19 years in business. The company is
a privately held and headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA.